Methods and systems for automatically relocating a pest deterrent system

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for chasing birds and other unwanted pest animals from a particular area. A robot system is used to relocate a pest deterrent in an area where a pest has been identified. The robot is programmed to move toward the pest animal within a geofenced area until the pest animal leaves the geofenced area. Robots (either ground based or flying robot drones) are programmed to move pest deterrent systems from one area to another to not allow a pest to become accustomed to the system. Two or more robots can be used in cooperation to adopt a complex strategy in chasing birds and other unwanted pest animals from a particular area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 62/768,516, U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 62/768,542, U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 62/768,564, U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 62/768,588, U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 62/768,718, U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 62/768,638, and U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 62/768,653, all filed on Nov. 16, 2018. These and all other referenced extrinsic materials are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to automated pest deterrence.

BACKGROUND

The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

The need to repel pest animals from certain outdoor areas is well known. Pest animals, such as birds, not only leave a mess if they spend a lot of time in an area, their feces can destroy equipment, such as electronics, and leave behind diseases, such as the avian flu. The loiterers are a nuisance to those using the space and pose dangers to humans by flying into machinery or other objects, such as the turbines of airplanes and the like. In the case of crops, they can cause a reduction in the yield or even destroy the entire harvest. In the case of collision with machinery, the animals are usually killed and the equipment can be damaged resulting in significant repair costs or even the loss of life.

A number of different systems are available for dealing with pest animals but all have their drawbacks and limited effectiveness. In the example of birds, noise cannons and predator sounds work, but birds quickly become adapted to them when it is realized that there is no real danger. Stuffed owls and the like are utilized to represent the presence of a predator but don't fool the birds for long. Spike systems are deployed, but birds usually end up using them as convenient nest holders. Electric fences and strips are dangerous and oftentimes leave the birds flapping on the ground for hours before they finally die. Scarecrows have been used in fields for as long as recorded history, but they have limited success due to the birds perceiving them as not being a threat. Recent inventions used image recognition and laser to deter birds. See e.g., CN202476328U and JP2010220542A. However, birds tend to adapt to stationary deterrents, such that stationary deterrents tend to become less effective over time.

Thus, there is still a need for a relocating pest deterrent system.

All publications identified herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides products, apparatus, systems, and methods that continuously relocates drone-carried pest deterrents while a pest animal is within a predefined geofenced area.

In some embodiments, a system for directing a pest animal out of a particular outdoor area comprise an electronic system that electronically defines a geofence in the particular outdoor area, a robot having a piloting system, a detector for identifying a pest animal and determining when and where there is a pest animal in the geofenced outdoor area; and software associated with the robot that, once a pest animal is determined to be in the geofenced area, continuously directs the robot's piloting system to find the pest animal and relocate a pest deterrent to that area and remain there as long as the pest animal is detected within the geofenced outdoor area.

The inventive subject matter also provides methods for directing a pest animal out of a particular outdoor area. In preferred embodiments, the methods comprise electronically defining a geofenced outdoor area; electronically detecting when there is a pest animal in the geofenced outdoor area; engaging a robot with a piloting system software associated with the robot that continuously moves the deterrent from station to station as long as pest animals are detected within the geofenced outdoor area; and disengaging the robot when there are no pest animals in the geofenced outdoor area.

A “complex deterrent strategy” refers to a deterrent strategy in which pest animals cannot easily predict the future action of a deterrent device. Without a complex strategy, pest animals quickly learn to adapt to the deterrent device and learns to counter the deterrent device. A complex strategy can be adopted by a single deterrent device, or by multiple deterrent devices cooperating with each other. The complexity can be further increased by randomly selecting a complex strategy from a variety of complex strategies and/or by cooperation between multiple deterrent devices that can differ in size or function.

Contemplated complex strategies include: the first drone driving a target pest animal toward the second drone; the first and second drones both circling and spiraling down to a target pest animal; the first and second drones repeatedly attacking and withdrawing relative to a target pest animal; the first and second drones using different fuzzy boundaries; the first and second drones serially attacking a target pest animal; the first drone scattering a group of target pest animals while the second drone circles the group; and the first drone and the second drone simultaneously approach the pest animal from opposite directions; and each of the first and second drones lying in wait. It is further contemplated that multiple drones can use cooperative swarming when flying together.

In preferred embodiments, the pest animal deterrent system has at least two drones. The first drone can the same as or different from the second drone. For example, the first drone can be 50% larger, or 50% faster than the second drone. Preferably, drones are equipped with a sensing mechanism to detect the distance of a how far a target pest animal. Contemplated sensors include infrared, motion, light, or sound sensors. In some embodiments, at least one drone has an attack mechanism. Contemplated deterrent systems include: using physical object (e.g., a telescoping probe, projectiles), sound emitters (e.g., a flat speaker, sound of predatory birds), light emitters (e.g., a flashing light, or laser), and a liquid sprayer (e.g., chemicals, or smell of predatory birds).

A preferred pest animal deterrent system also has a computing device comprising a transceiver and a processor configured to execute software instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The software instructions are configured to coordinate movements of the drones, as part of a strategy to increase the effectiveness of the pest animal deterrent system. The software can be further configured to apply different strategies with different types of target pest animals, or apply different strategies as a function of different environmental conditions.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of geofenced area in which a robot drone is resting on a control platform having a sensor, according to aspects of the current inventive subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the geofenced area of FIG. 1, in which the robot drone has launched from the control platform, in order to activate a deterrent from a new location.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the geofenced area of FIG. 1, in which the robot drone has activated a deterrent, causing the bird to flee.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a geofenced area having two robot drones, resting on two separate control platforms.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the geofenced area of FIG. 4, in which both robot drones have launched, and are flying toward a bird, in order to activate deterrents from new locations.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the geofenced area of FIG. 4, in which both robot drones have activated their respective deterrents from new locations, causing the bird to flee.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.

The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value with a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.

As used herein, the term “automated system” refers to a system which detects defined pest animals in a geofenced area, launches a robot, and the robot relocates a deterrent device to chase away the pest animal from the geofenced area without human intervention once the system is initiated. In other embodiments, individual steps may be either automatically or manually initiated.

As used herein, the term “pest animal” refers to any unwanted animal such as birds, pigeons, geese, coyotes, and the like which are large enough to be a nuisance on a given piece of property.

As used herein, the term “particular outdoor area” refers to an area wherein the user of the system wants to keep the area free from invasion of pest animals. This might be a back yard, an airport area, an industrial site, a golf course, and the like.

As used herein, the term “geofence” refers to the establishment of a digital map of the particular outdoor area that is electronically part of the system such that it can detect when a pest animal is in the particular geofenced outdoor area. It need not sense outside the area, and if the geofence cannot detect any movement, it needs no more input to operate. Geofencing is well known in the art.

As used herein, the term “robot with a piloting system” refers to a flying drone or ground unit with an operating system which allows the robot to visually inspect the geofenced area for pest animals in the geofenced area such that the software controlled interaction causes the robot to move a deterrent to a particular area where a pest animal may exist in the geofenced area as long as it remains in the geofenced area. Once the pest animal leaves the geofenced area, the robot returns to its original path to finish its patrol and, if no further pest animals are detected, the robot then returns to its docking station, or the like. While this can be automatic, in one embodiment a user has to initiate the system when notified of an intrusion into the geofenced area. A flying robot could be utilized for flying pest animals, like birds and bats, while a ground robot could be utilized for ground limited animals, like coyotes. Preferred robots are flying drones.

As used herein, the term “detector” is a device for identifying a pest animal and determining when and where there is a pest animal in the geofenced area. It can be located anywhere, including in or on the robot, a separate device, as shown in the figures, and the like.

As used herein, the term “software that directs the robot's piloting system” refers to software on a computer, on the web, on the robot, on multiple places, or any other place which coordinates the activity of measuring the location of the pest animal in the geofenced area with the robot such that the robot locate itself into the area of the pest animal and then activates a deterrent until it leaves the geofenced area.

In use, the geofence system monitors inside the geofenced area for anything moving in that area of a certain size. In one embodiment, it is a recognition system that can tell the difference between a pest animal and something mechanical like another robot. If a pest animal is detected, the robot is activated (manually or automatically) and directed to locate a pest deterrent to an area where there is a detected pest animal until the pest animal is no longer detected in the geofenced area.

In FIG. 1, geofence software 102 determines where the geofenced area 103 is located. Once the geofenced area 103 is determined, a detector 116 monitors for pest animals 110 inside the geofenced area 103. Once a pest animal 150 is detected, software 106 guides a robot 113 with a piloting system (e.g., a drone) to move to the area where the pest animal 150 is detected, and deploy a pest deterrent system. If the pest animal 150 moves to another area within the geofenced area 103, the software 106 again guides the robot 113 to move to that area and deploy a pest deterrent system, until the pest animal 150 is no longer within the geofenced area 103. When the pest animal 150 is no longer detected by the detector system 114, the robot 113 returns to its home base platform 114. A land-based device 104 is placed a geofenced area 103 (shown in two-dimensional view for clarity) defined by software. It is contemplated that the detector system 116 (which could also be on the drone 113, which could also be a land-based platform 114) operates to detect pest animals 115 (in this embodiment a bird) inside the geofenced area 103.

In FIG. 2, drone 213 has taken off docking station 214 and is flying towards a bird 250.

In FIG. 3, drone 313 deploys the deterrent device 316 (e.g., emitting sounds of a predatory bird) and driven the bird 350 out of the geofenced area 312. If the bird 350 moves to another location within the geofenced area 312, the drone 313 is programmed to move to that location and deploys the deterrent device 316, until the bird 350 leaves the geofenced area 312. Once the bird 350 leaves, the drone 313 can either return to its docking station 314 or pick up on its patrol mission where it left off.

In FIG. 4, there are two platforms (414 and 424) and two drones (413 and 423). The second drone 423 cooperates with the first drone 413 to adopt a strategy in directing the pest animal 450 out of the geofenced area 403.

In FIG. 5, drones 513 and 514 both take off their platforms (514 and 524) and are flying towards a bird 550 detected within the geofenced area 503.

In FIG. 6, drones 613 adopts a deterrent device 616, while drones 623 adopts another deterrent device and 626. Drones 613 and 623 cooperate to adopt a strategy in directing the pest animal 650 out of the geofenced area. If the bird 650 moves to another location within the geofenced area 612, the drones 613 and 623 are programmed to move to that location and deploy the deterrent devices 616 and 626, until the bird 650 leaves the geofenced area 612.

Contemplated complex strategies include: the first drone driving a target pest animal toward the second drone; the first and second drones both circling and spiraling down to a target pest animal; the first and second drones repeatedly attacking and withdrawing relative to a target pest animal; the first and second drones using different fuzzy boundaries; the first and second drones serially attacking a target pest animal; the first drone scattering a group of target pest animals while the second drone circles the group; and the first drone and the second drone simultaneously approach the pest animal from opposite directions; and each of the first and second drones lying in wait. It is further contemplated that multiple drones can use cooperative swarming when flying together

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for directing a pest animal out of a geofenced area, comprising: a robot having a piloting system; a detector for detecting a presence of a pest animal in the geofenced outdoor area; and a processor configured to execute software instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, wherein the software instructions are configured to 1) electronically define the geofence area in a particular outdoor area, and 2) to direct the first robot to a location and deploy a deterrent system against the pest animal as long as the pest animal is detected to be within the geofenced outdoor area.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein detecting a presence of a pest animal comprises using a computer vision system to identify the pest animal.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the robot is equipped with a camera for determining where to land and deploy the deterrent system.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the robot piloting system comprises a system for identifying the pest animal.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the deterrent system is onboard with the first robot.
 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the detector is a motion activated visual detector.
 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is completely autonomous once the system is engaged.
 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the robot, the detector, and the software instructions is initiated manually by a user.
 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the robot is manually engaged once the pest animal is detected to be in the geofenced area.
 10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the robot comprises a probe and the robot orients itself while moving toward the pest animal such that the probe will be oriented toward the pest animal.
 11. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a second robot within the geofenced outdoor area, wherein the software instructions are configured to direct the second robot to a location and deploy a deterrent system against the pest animal as long as the pest animal is detected to be within the geofenced outdoor area.
 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the second robot cooperates with the first robot to adopt a complex strategy in directing the pest animal out of the geofenced area.
 13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the complex strategy comprises the first robot driving the pest animal toward the second robot.
 14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the complex strategy comprises the first and second robots both circling and spiraling down to the pest animal.
 15. The system according to claim 12, wherein the complex strategy comprises each of the first and second robots repeatedly attacking and withdrawing relative to the pest animal.
 16. The system according to claim 12, wherein the complex strategy comprises the first and second robots serially attacking the pest animal.
 17. The system according to claim 12, wherein the complex strategy comprises the first robot scattering a group of pest animals while the second robot circles the group.
 18. A method for directing a pest animal out of a particular outdoor area, comprising: a) electronically defining a geofenced outdoor area; b) electronically detecting a presence of a pest animal in the geofenced outdoor area; c) engaging a robot with a piloting system software associated with the robot that continuously directs the robot's piloting system to move toward the pest animal as long as the pest animal is detected within the geofenced outdoor area; and d) disengaging the robot when there are no pest animals in the geofenced outdoor area.
 19. The method according to claim 11 wherein the robot is equipped with a probe and the robot orients itself while moving toward the pest animal such that the probe will be oriented toward the pest animal.
 20. The method according to claim 11 wherein detection is accomplished by using a motion detector that operates within the geofenced outdoor area. 